Author Interview with Sue Watson

Today I'm delighted to welcome author Sue Watson on the Blog. Sue has just published We'll Always Have Paris with Sphere and to celebrate, today she answers all my bookish questions! Have a look:

Hi Sue and welcome to Alba in Bookland. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hi Alba! I’m a writer and mother and wife, a serial procrastinator and consumer of doughnuts. I was once a journalist, then a TV producer with the BBC until I decided I wanted to stay at home each day and make stuff up – and I did. I’m now a full time writer and my latest (7th) novel is ‘We’ll Always have Paris.’

Your new book We'll Always Have Paris is about reconnecting with your first love many years later. What sparkled this idea?

It’s something I’ve wanted to write about for so long. I know several people who’ve met up with partners from their past and the opportunity to relive one’s youth is very tempting. But along with the nostalgia for days gone by, there is often some element of pain that resurfaces too. I wanted to explore this potentially bittersweet experience.

This story is slightly different than your previous books. Can you tell us why?

This book is slightly different, though it’s still humorous and written with warmth, the book is more emotional, and explores some deeper issues. Also, my heroine is in her 60’s which is different from my usual forty-somethings. I wanted to create a heroine who wasn’t defined by her age and didn’t embrace a future of limitations, but a woman who says okay, so I’m in my sixties – what next?

I'm always curious to know, what is your approach to writing, are you a plotter or do you let your characters "play"?

I’m very disorganised (you should see my desk!) so I have to write a detailed synopsis first so my characters don’t take me too far from the original plan. But I’m flexible and I always let my characters play and develop – sometimes they get a little too wild, then my brilliant editor comes in and suggests they all get a grip!

If you could switch places with a character from one of your books, who would it be and why?

It would be Laura from Summer Flings and Dancing Dreams, she is overweight, overage and feels like her life is over – until she discovers Tony and the Argentine Tango. It’s an unconventional relationship – but in his way he’s the love of her life and she is totally transformed by the salsa and the sequins!

What are you working on right now? When can we expect your next book?

I’m really excited about my next book – the working title is ‘The Christmas Cake Café,’ it’s out in October and set in Switzerland. It’s extremely Christmassy, there’s lots of snow, crackling log fires, crazy skiing, and most importantly, there’s plenty of cake!

And now the important questions ;)

Secret guilty pleasure: Big Brother (I know, I know, but I never miss a night in the house – I feel like I’m in there with them, and my characters are sometimes inspired by some of the real characters – I just love it!)

Current book boyfriend: I tend to fall in love with my own heroes – is that cheating? If I’m allowed one from my own ‘stable,’ it has to be Dan from ‘Love, Lies and Lemon Cake.’ He’s a restless, blond Aussie with a wicked sense of humour who’s spontaneous and sexy and … he bakes! What’s not to love?

If you could escape to anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? California – I went there a couple of years ago and would love to live there. I’d have a beach house, probably in Malibu – but I’m not fussy, anywhere along the beautiful west coast from San Francisco to San Diego.

Which book would you take with you? Cathy Bramley’s The Plumberry School of Comfort Food – I’m taking it on holiday and I just know it will be delicious!

And was there a lot of macaroons eating while writing this book? How did you guess? But of course I didn’t enjoy a single one because it was purely for research, I’m prepared to do anything for my readers!

When she was almost seventeen, Rosie Draper locked eyes with a charismatic student called Peter during their first week at art college, changing the course of her life forever. Now, on the cusp of sixty-five and recently widowed, Rosie is slowly coming to terms with a new future. And after a chance encounter with Peter, forty-seven years later, they both begin to wonder 'what if'...

Told with warmth, wit and humour, We'll Always Have Paris is a charming, moving and uplifting novel about two people; the choices they make, the lives they lead and the love they share.